2017-2018 Academic Catalog

Nov 25, 2024

2017-2018 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Asian Studies Major

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Asian Studies Overview

Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary program that straddles the social sciences, humanities, arts, and business. At Clark, students who major in Asian Studies develop not only their analytical skills; they also gain in-depth knowledge concerning the history, politics, and culture of different Asian countries. Students are required to develop linguistic proficiency in an Asian language, usually either Chinese or Japanese. Our core program faculty includes experts on China, Japan, mainland Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The program reflects the growing importance of Asia, rising public interest in Asia, and the undeniably central role of Asia in the world economy and in world affairs today.

For more information, please visit the Asian Studies Department’s website.

Major Requirements

Students majoring in Asian Studies are expected to take 12 courses, at least four of which will be completed in one of Clark’s study-abroad programs in Asia. Of the 12 courses, at least five must be at the 200-level. Students may specialize in China, Japan, or more broadly across Asia (including East, South, and Southeast Asia).

Language Requirement

Students are required to gain a functional level of literacy in the language of their area of specialization. Students specializing in China or Japan must complete at least the equivalent of advanced Chinese or Japanese at Clark plus at least one semester in China or Japan as part of Clark’s Study Abroad Program. A student studying Southeast Asia is required to study a major Southeast Asian language, either through locally available instructors or as part of a Study Abroad Program. Asian language courses above the beginning level (101-102) can be counted as part of the required 12 courses for the major. Students specializing in China or Japan must take at least three courses on countries or regions of Asia different from their country of specialization.

Complementary Minor or Second Major

Since Asian Studies is interdisciplinary by definition, we require that all students majoring in Asian Studies also fulfill a minor (or a second major) in an established department that is closely related to the student’s area of interest. This is to ensure that Clark Asian Studies majors also have basic competence in an established discipline, which will improve their chances for employment, admission to post-graduate programs, and/or other international career opportunities.

Directed Study

Students may also pursue directed study projects under the supervision of an Asian Studies faculty member in their area of interest or specialization. Students need to individually approach faculty members to consult on their research and study plans.

Study Abroad

Asian Studies majors are required to take at least one semester of study abroad in any of the following four programs:

Kansai Gaidai University near Osaka, Japan,
CET Language Program in Beijing, China,
CET Internship Program in Shanghai, China, or
CET in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Interested students should inquire with the Study Abroad and Study Away Programs office about the language prerequisites and availability of each program.

Honors Program (Optional)

To be eligible, students must:

Have a 3.5 GPA in Asian Studies and a 3.3 overall GPA;
Submit a detailed research proposal to the Director of Asian Studies by April 1st of the Spring Semester of their Junior Year and a letter from a potential Honors Thesis advisor in support of your application;
Complete two semesters of Honors 297;
Complete an oral defense (with first and second readers); and
Present on Academic Spree Day.

Asian Studies Faculty

Program

Ken MacLean, Ph.D., Director
Joanne Qu, Ph.D.
Srinivasan Sitaraman, Ph.D.
Alice Valentine, M.A.

Adjunct

Yuko Aoyama, Ph.D.
Sarah Buie, M.F.A.
Jude Fernando, Ph.D.
William Fisher, Ph.D.
SunHee Kim Gertz, Ph.D.
Betsy P. Huang, Ph.D.
Stephen M. Levin, Ph.D.
Douglas Little, Ph.D.
Thomas Massey, Ph.D.
Paul Ropp, Ph.D.
Shelly Tenenbaum, Ph.D.

Asian Studies Courses

Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Years